Page:Anandamath, The Abbey of Bliss - Chatterjee.djvu/200



When Santi left her house at dead of night and left for the town, Jivananda was present there. She told him : I am going to town to get Mahendra's wife. You just tell him that his wife lives." Jivananda had heard from Bhavananda all about his saving Kalyani's life and he had heard of her present whereabouts from Santi who was wont to travel to all places. By and by he told all this to Mahendra. Mahendra could not believe it at first and then he was overpowered with joy. Next morning Mahendra and Kalyani met through the good offices of Santi. Before the birds and beasts had risen from their sleep, they met each other in that still forest, under the dark shade of the thickly-placed sal trees. There was none to witness the meeting, save the pale stars on the azure sky and the steady and endless line of trees. Afar there was the sweet murmur of some small rumbling stream that sang with the touch of pebbles, and anon there was the stray cooing of an early cuckoo, delighted with the glow on the crest of Dawn shining in the east. When it was one prahar* after daybreak, Jivananda and Santi appeared there. Kalyani said to Santi : " We are sold as slaves to you for the service you have
 * One prahar is about three hours.